Massena couple charged with unlawful imprisonment

MASSENA - A Massena couple charged with beating and apparently attempting to force a teenage female into their vehicle on Feb. 16 posted bail and were released after being charged with felony counts of unlawful imprisonment Tuesday afternoon.

Village police charged Patrick R. Lloyd, 25, of New York City, reportedly staying at a residence on Haskell Street, Massena, and Miranda M. Green, 18, of 37 Howard St., Massena, with felony counts of first-degree unlawful imprisonment and a misdemeanor charges of third-degree assault.

They reportedly shoved Catherine A. Berry, 17, of Massena to the ground before punching her in the face several times and kicking her in the face. They then reportedly restrained Berrys hands and tried to throw her into their vehicle before their actions drew the attention of neighbors in the Sycamore Street area where the incident took place. Ms. Berry reportedly suffered bruises and facial swelling as a result of the attack.

Lloyd appeared at the village police station with his attorney, Edward Narrow of Syracuse, and turned himself in on an arrest warrant. Green was taken into custody when she greeted Lloyd as he was leaving the courtroom after his arraignment on the unlawful imprisonment charge.

Lloyd was arraigned by Massena Village Justice Eric J. Gustafson and released after posting $5,000 cash bail. Green, who told the judge she was a senior at Massena Central High School, was also arraigned by Mr. Gustafson and released after posting $1,500 cash bail.

Mr. Narrow had asked the court to set bail at $2,500 cash. He pointed out his client was released on his own recognizance on charges pending in Franklin County.

Police and federal agents had charged Lloyd and two other New York City residents with multiple drug and gun felonies following a December traffic stop on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation.

Lloyd, of Manhattan; Jevar Sturridge, 19, of Queens; and Travis Moore, 23, of Manhattan are all charged with one count each of second- and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.

Lloyd also was at the Massena residence in October, where one man was shot, another man stabbed and a third man beaten. Police later charged a couple that were living at the apartment with possession of over 1,600 bundles of heroin.

A news release from the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe said Lloyd, Sturridge and Moore allegedly were in possession of six ounces of heroin, six ounces of cocaine, two loaded handguns, and about a pound of marijuana. Officials said none of the three had proper licensing to possess the seized guns, which had defaced serial numbers.

The arrests were made by St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police, New York State Police and U.S. Border Patrol.

The latest charge alleges Ms. Berry was walking on Woodlawn Avenue between Sycamore and Cedar streets at approximately Feb. 16 when she encountered Lloyd, known by his street name of Problem, and Green. She said Lloyds vehicle drove past her as she walking across the baseball field, then backed up, pulled in front of her and blocked her path.

Green reportedly got out of the vehicle, exchanged pleasantries with Ms. Berry and then punched her in the right eye. Lloyd then reportedly exited the vehicle, approached the teenager and pushed Ms. Berry, knocking her backwards into a snowbank. He then allegedly booted her in the face with the bottom of his foot.

He then reportedly punched Ms. Berry in the face several times, with Green throwing haymakers at the 17 year old at the same time.

I was laying in the snow and Miranda said, Put her in the car. When I saw the door open to the car, I thought they were going to kill me. I was scared for my life. Problem grabbed my hands, and Miranda grabbed my feet, and they picked me up and tried to put me in the car, Ms. Berry said.

She was reportedly able to escape when she kicked Green, who dropped her feet. A neighborhood resident then reportedly intervened, and Lloyd and Green allegedly got back into their vehicle and left the scene.

During his arraignment, Mr. Narrow said Lloyd had lived in Massena for the past two years and suggested he was not a flight risk. I know he will appear in court when required, he said.

Mr. Gustafson said a review of Lloyds criminal history raised questions, noting there were several cases where warrants had been issued after the Manhattan failed to appear in court as directed. Pretty much every time there has been an arrest there has been a warrant. I look at his criminal history over the past year, and there are matters pending in New York County, Clinton County and Franklin County, the village justice said before setting bail at $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond.

St. Lawrence County Assistant District Attorney Viacheslav Mareyev had recommended bail of $2,500 cash. He noted Lloyd had an address history in Manhattan and suggested he was a substantial flight risk.

Later Tuesday afternoon, village police charged Lloyd with a felony count of third-degree criminal mischief. He allegedly slashed the front and back passenger side tires on a 2003 Oldsmobile being operated by Michelle Dougherty on Feb. 24. She had reportedly parked her vehicle at 152 North Main St. and was picking up Girl Scout cookies.

He was arraigned on the criminal mischief count and was released after posting $1,500 cash bail.

Green had also had contact with the village police at 1 a.m. Tuesday when she and Ginelle M. Gardner, 17, also of 37 Howard St., Massena, were charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana following a traffic stop at 1 a.m. Tuesday on Alvern Avenue at Howard Street. Gardner was additionally ticketed for operation of a vehicle with inadequate plate lamps.

A canine unit reportedly alerted on the vehicle during the traffic stop, and police located a baggie of marijuana, a set of scales that allegedly contained marijuana residue, a larger set of scales, a black plate, a silver utility knife and a package of 50 utility blades wrapped inside a blanket in the vehicles trunk.

Commenting rules:

Stick to the topic of the article/letter/editorial.

When responding to issues raised by other commenters, do not engage in personal attacks or name-calling.

Comments that include profanity/obscenities or are libelous in nature will be removed without warning.

Violators' commenting privileges may be revoked indefinitely. By commenting you agree to our full Terms of Use.